Abstract

The article is an introduction to the monographic content of a volume
containing articles dedicated to contemporary models of building
residential districts in Europe, where the issue of an attractive,
beautiful architectural form must integrate the dimension of energy
efficiency. Individualism must be subject to flexible regulations so
that the current understanding of the concept of spatial order brings
with it commonly desirable qualities as an effective strategy against
the processes of the city›s sprawl. Attached is the output of the HOPU-S
URBACT II project (2007-2013), which became an inspiration for the topic.

Abstract

The article undertakes quastion of urban design in a context of urban
sprawl linking it to the German debate on suburbanisation, conducted
under the slogan of Zwischenstadt – a concept created by Th.
Sieverts in 1997. The Ladenburger Kolleg „Zwischenstadt”
(LKZ) developed 2002-2006 the interdisciplinary research titled: „Amidst
the Edge: Zwischenstadt – towards the qualification of the
urbanised landscape” The spatial effects of the dispersion processes
were considered to be the manifestation of the creation of a new model
of the city. The traditional image of urbanism does not fit its logic. Zwischenstadt
(in-beetwen-city) recognized as a phase of the urbanization process,
uncoordinated by any imposed urban vision, requires a innovative urban
design leitmotives. This new planning tool is necessary to obtain the
parameters needed to strengthen internal socio-economic development
capabilities. The concept of the efficiency of urban design covered the
issue of the character of a city›s image. The morphological studies on a
megalopolis structure by Frankfurt a. Main, made a creative use of the
Lynch research on the image of the city. Their main goal was to
understand the characteristics of the dispersion meant as an urbanized
landscape and to determine its susceptibility to the process of
improving spatial quality – recognition of the endogenous potentials of
generating a Zwischenstadt image.

Abstract

The article refers to the urban sprawl in Poland. Its objectives are:
(1) analysis of relations between negative eff ects, (2) presentation
negative effects on transport and energy consumption and on spatial
order, (3) analysis of ways of counteracting negative processes
including conditions (especially restrictions) on the use of this ways
and their effectiveness. The methods used were: observation, literature
analysis and logical analysis. Driving forces are heading towards
further suburbanization, stopping of which is considered impossible.
Orientation of the processes more closely to spatial order is very
difficult. There are proper and legal solutions for this, but there are
barriers to their use, such as: the lack of awareness and motivation of
local authorities and the political conditions that discourage more
restrictive regulation.

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to present contemporary climatic changes
in their actual scale, and to assess their impact on functioning of
urban areas situated on the Polish coast. The results of the analysis of
variability of hydro-climatic conditions that occurred in the last 65
years (1951-2015) in the area of the Polish coast suggest that important
changes were concerning: (1) temperature of the air, and thickness and
length of the occurrence of the snow cover, (2) sea surface temperature,
and thickness and length of the occurrence of ice cover, (3) sea level
rise during storm surges. It was found, however, that the occurrence of
catastrophic fl oods from precipitation in the Tri-City area is not the
result of climate change, but it is caused by local conditions. The
observed increase of air temperatures, and average sea surface
temperatures in the Southern Baltic has generally a positive impact on
functioning of coastal cities, and does not need any complex adaptation
plans to climate changes. Summer is the only period in which the
increase of temperature infl uence cities negatively, due to
strengthening the urban heat islands. In this case, the architectural
solutions, that require large amounts of energy should be eliminated. In
urban planning scale, the solutions helping to cool the space in between
buildings should be implemented. Sea level rise in the years 2009-2015,
caused by storm surges, should be regarded as a signifi cant change in
the climate of the Southern Baltic Sea. Taking these changes into
account maps of hazard and flood risk, developed in an ISOK project,
should be the basis for detailed records in Study of Conditions and
Directions of Spatial Development and local development plans of cities,
determining the rules and restrictions of the investment and management
in the areas at risk of flooding.

Abstract

The main objective of the article is an attempt to indicate factors
which determine the image of a city as a good place to live as well as
to reveal the ways in which they affect the citizens’ quality of life.
In order to do so, the author selected the city of Gdynia which is
perceived as the best city to live in by its citizens. Among the most
important factors determining the quality of life in general there are:
the scale of a city, local identity, public spaces, symbolic places,
housing environment, perception of a place, personal satisfaction of a
place where a particular person lives, urban policies as well as
presence and activeness of local leaders. The article presents the
results of a social study carried out by the author herself during two
periods of time – in 2004 and 2014 as well as the results of the Social
Diagnosis 2015.

Abstract

In the era of transition to a low-carbon economy, optimal use of the
developmental resources within urban regions expresses the need to limit
suburbanization and increase the energy efficiency. Solutions are sought
as an alternative for the suburban housing estates embodying the image
high-quality life in the American Dream style. Aspects of the urban
innovation, serving the public sector as a tool for improvement of the
quality in residential environment, are considered in the article.
Selected examples (mainly German) are described with reference to 1) the
changes in the standards of housing development, 2) large-scale renewal
programs for residential areas, 3) development and dissemination of
urban design (the technique). The interaction between scientific
research and the implementation sphere, remaining in the hands of local
governments, is important here. Synergy, at a local level, is of key
importance in at least four aspects in urban development: 1) solving
complex, atypical problems, 2) the public sector being a strong
(independent) partner, 3) adaptation of foreign concepts, from other
planning systems/cultures and morphologically different urban
structures, 4) strengthening the position in relations with the EU.

Abstract

This article reflects on the results the use and eff ectiveness of
design coding as urban design / development tool, focusing on the roles
of and the relationships between the different actors playing parts in
the in the design coding process: the administration, the investors, the
designers, the politics and the community. It reveals the gap in
professional circles that impacts the development process, which,
deepened by the continuous battle between the creative, the
market-driven and the regulatory modes praxis. The article is polemical
in that it points to the three main parties of this collective process,
referring to is as the creative, market and regulatory tyranny. The
author proposes that design coding, if used correctly, could be an
effective tool regulating the essentials of urbanism, leaving room for
creativity and enhanced market value. Design coding as such results in
improvement of the quality of both urbans space and housing architecture.

Abstract

The text comprises the evaluation of relationship between the
qualitative planning tools and the Irish housing policy in the
pre-crisis period, during the crisis (2009-2013) and the recovery. The
tools that affect housing are understood as spatial planning, including
governmental regulations on densification of the development and the
housing quality as well as the special tools such as the urban design.
Those regulatory tools were deployed with aims to safeguard the
sustainable and socially viable housing structures. The Irish case
illustrates the considerable innovation in introducing new housing
standards and challenges with their efficiency. This can be attributed
to the lack of integration with other elements that shaped the market –
financing and actions of the private market, low efficiency of planning
or the lack of the scale effect for the model developments. Despite
their drawbacks these tools are continuously being used, as their
foundational principles are still valid.

Abstract

The article highlights the issues of the quality of the newly developed
residential areas in Stockholm, in the times of one of the most
development intense times in the history of the city. The city of
Stockholm has a population of ca. one million residents today and is one
of the fastest growing cities in Europe. The high increase in population
numbers, high birth rate and strong economy have been the main factors
contributing to the rapid city growth. The urgent need for new houses
has been addressed by Stockholm’s politicians with an ambitious housing
programme. The housing shortage together with the city´s booming economy
and actively applied planning policies have created challenges for the
decision makers and for the city planners. Most of Stockholm´s new
residential areas are being planned outside the city centre which
requires a revised approach to the character of the planned spaces and
to their density. However, the issues of the quality of the currently
planned and built areas are being raised more and more often. Not only
the architectural quality has been discussed, but also the scale,
structure typologies, the quality of the functional and spatial
programmes and that of public spaces.

A planning model that has been applied in Stockholm for several years is
based on a close co-operation between the city´s planning administration
bodies and private investors. A critical element of this kind of a
planning model is a strong vision for the city´s future development. The
city’s planning administration bodies assure an applicable guidance
throughout the planning process. Analysis and conclusions presented in
the article are based on practice at planning and administration bodies
in Stockholm and in the region of Stockholm in the years 2005-2018.

Abstract

The article describes the design principles, the course of work on the
project and the implementation of the Nowe Żerniki district, in the
context of the theory of sustainable housing complexes. By comparing the
settlement to the Aspern Seestadt, which is considered to be the leading
European example of new district development, the author tries to find
out, if Nowe Żerniki meets the latest European urban standards and can
be called innovative on a European scale. Not only the final shape of
the settlement was assessed, but also the design process and functional
assumptions of the estate.

Abstract

The article concerns problems with shaping contemporary housing estates.
By analyzing housing structures designed in recent years, the aim was to
demonstrate the importance of creating the continuity of public spaces
in order to achieve places seen as attractive and presenting features of
high quality urban space. Essential for the research is the question
about the conditions which should be fulfi lled when creating the ideal
residential place which then leads to a series of answers. These
included indicating a good location with functional and aesthetic
urban/architectural solutions. Environmental issues are important as
well. Regardless of whether it is a multi-family dwelling or a single
family house, a good neighborhood and its location in a well-connected
place with necessary basic services within walking range are important.
It is also signifi cant how the public space was shaped and whether a
natural network was created. Due to factors such as the specifi city of
the structure’s location in the city and diff erent surfaces of designed
estates, as well as the variety of residential buildings being
constructed, it is often diffi cult to assess them unambiguously.
Importantly, this assessment also includes social and economic aspects
as well as technical issues. However, by using multi-directional
research it can be noted that the forms of public spaces within housing
complexes play an important role in the creation of high-quality
structures, perceived as attractive not only by the residents.

Abstract

This paper aims to describe how the largest suburban development area
for the city of Gdynia has been redesigned according to “New Urbanism”
principles to become a new town district for potentially 40,000
inhabitants. Before MAU’s engagement in the project, a comprehensive
vision for the area was lacking: new housing developments tended towards
its car-dependent sub-urbanisation. The author was charged with
organising an urban planning Charrette in May 2012 bringing together
developers, city officials, inhabitants and experts in urban design,
planning, architecture, traffic, sociology and location marketing. Key
to the solution was the necessity of the restructuring of the road
network, which had to be redesigned to enable the development of
walkable neighborhoods and a distinctive new town center for the
district. This would allow to have most daily uses within a 5 minute
walking distance, such as schools, shops, recreation areas and public
transport. In addition, three different pro-active strategies have been
proposed to accommodate workplaces within the district, based on the
economic profile and potential of Gdynia. A new Master Plan for the
district was accordingly devised, planning procedures were set in
motion, and a new legal plan (MPZP) fi nally approved in August 2017.

Abstract

The two chosen estates, Garnizon and Wiszace Ogrody have
evolved during the last decade or so in Gdańsk. Both developed with the
idea of balanced functionality and New Urbanism despite very diff erent
locations. The aim was to combine apartment buildings with shops, other
services, hotels, offi ce buildings and cultural venues. Numerous
interesting and inviting public spaces were also high on the agenda. It
was intended to create an interesting, multifunctional space, to
maximise the use of the space throughout the day, also making it eco
friendly by minimising the use of cars. That`s how an interesting,
beautifull space impacts the energy. The centrally located Garnizon
has been quite successful, whereas the more peripherally placed Wiszące
Ogrody has not quite succeeded due to fi nancial restrictions and is
mainly a housing estate at the moment. The hope is that it will grow
into a similar entity with new development and helped by the new rail
link.

Abstract

In the article the question about the issue of beauty and energy in
Polish architecture is considered in the context of experience in the
design of buildings and housing estates collected in the last twenty
years by the Warsaw studio Grupa 5 Architekci. The conceptual, urban and
architectural assumptions are illustrated by three examples
representative of different, key problem issues.

Abstract

Assumptions of the major political and legal documents of the European
Union, dedicated to energy efficiency and energy performance of
buildings provide the Member States with relevant instruments supporting
improvement of the ambient air qualityby dissemination of measures
reducing energy demand and promotion of renewable energysources.
Mainstreaming EU legislation into national regulations constitutes
initial stage of the long term process of supporting implementation of
energy efficiency measures. Experience in the improvement of energy
performance of the residential buildings revealslimited efficiency of
the measures implemented up to date, which results in significantair
pollution of Polish cities. The national Action Plans had adopted a
limited scope of recommendations included in the EU directives, hence
the process meets significant challenges.The article describes
adaptation of the relevant EU directives as well as the National Urban
Policy in terms of the potential to effectively address faced challenges.

Abstract

As a result of introduction of the Directive 2010/31/EU of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 on the energy performance
of buildings, all of the EU member states are obliged to introduce legal
regulations for energy performance of all newly constructed buildings.
The key aim is to achieve close to zero energy use starting from the
year 2021. Estimating effectiveness of the actions and the new
possibilities requires an analysis of the multiple criteria. They
comprise both the current conditions as well as the changes that have
occurred in the recent years due to new legislation, the eff ects of the
subsidies and the development of the housing stock. This paper presents
a broad overview and diagnosis of current situation. The development of
the energy-efficient and passive housing in Poland is considered in the
context of financial incentives, availability of design knowledge and
building technology as well as the role of the green building
certification.

Abstract

Architecture is a discipline combining aesthetics with technology. This
paper is focusing on the relationship between aesthetics and energy
efficiency in architecture with special interest in solar collectors and
photovoltaic panels as technological equipment of the buildings. The
paper takes into consideration the present situation and architectural
development in northern Poland, with some input basing on European
experiences. The paper defi nes aesthetics and effi ciency in the field
of architectural design as well as the use of public and urban spaces.
Authors present also some case studies regarding the use of solar panels
in selected architectural examples. The paper ends with summary and some
conclusions including the need for further research in the field of
architectural design, technology and product design, as well as the
perception of urbanised spaces and the important field of economic and
financial factors connected to the topic.

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to discuss energy certification systems and
multi-criteria certification schemes – both the assessment tools
focusing on the level of the single building and on the urban level. The
role of certification systems and the emerging technologies as a means
of reducing energy consumption and achieving the high energy quality of
the built environment is investigated.